BWW Review: MSMT Launches 61st Season with Duke Ellington Extravaganza
by Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold - Jun 7, 2019
So what does a theatre company do to keep its momentum and even up the ante after a 60th anniversary season that broke all records? Why not hire three choreographers, fourteen virtuoso singer-dancers, and an eleven-piece big band orchestra, to mount the largest dance show in its history that celebrates the music of one of America's immortal musical geniuses, Duke Ellington? That is precisely what Maine State Music Theatre has done in its 2019 season opener with its sensational all-singing, all-dancing, visually opulent extravaganza, SOPHISTICATED LADIES, that is currently blowing the roof off the Pickard with its high-octane visceral energy, heady joy, and pure lyrical magic.
Fulton Theatre Presents SOPHISTICATED LADIES And THE PRINCESS AND THE PEA
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 24, 2019
The nationally regarded Fulton Theatre, in association with Maine State Music Theatre is proud to present the dance and music-filled Duke Ellington's Sophisticated Ladies, May 2 through May 25, with Previews April 30 and May 1. Three acclaimed choreographers, Broadway's Mark Stuart, Broadway's Kenny Ingram and Lancaster's own Marc Robin, have joined to make this one memorable celebration!
Photo Flash: Andre De Shields Celebrates Closing Night Of SOPHISTICATED LADIES
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 25, 2019
On his day off from appearing as Hermes in the Broadway production of Anais Mitchell's Hadestown at the Walter Kerr Theatre, two-time Tony nominee and Emmy winner Andre De Shields headed to the Victoria Theater at NJPAC in Newark to celebrate his company of fabulous singers and dancers under his direction in the Crossroads Theatre Company and NJPAC's co-production of Duke Ellington's Sophisticated Ladies. Scroll down for photos from the party.
BWW Review: DUKE ELLINGTON'S SOPHISTICATED LADIES at NJPAC
by Matthew Michaels - Mar 22, 2019
The jazz king of Harlem is alive and well in Newark, New Jersey. In honor of the 120th anniversary of his birth next month, Crossroads Theater Company and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center have co-produced a short run of DUKE ELLINGTON'S SOPHISTICATED LADIES.
The musical revue, which originally made its way to Broadway in 1981, includes all of Ellington's best-known standards, including 'In A Sentimental Mood,' 'I Got It Bad and That Ain't Good,' and 'Mood Indigo.' This collaborative production at NJPAC is directed by Andre De Shields.
BroadwayHD Releases Streaming Playlist of Theatre Greats for Black History Month!
by Paul Smith - Feb 5, 2019
In time for Black History Month, BroadwayHD, the premiere streaming service for live theater in the US and countries across the globe, has pulled together a special playlist that honors African Americans on the stage. From Audra McDonald as Billie Holiday in Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill, to Duke Ellington's Sophisticated Ladies, and the galvanizing drama Pipeline, by award-winning playwright Dominique Morriseau, BroadwayHD presents this month hours of exciting theater celebrating the writing, performances, and music of some of the most talented individuals to ever appear on the stage.
Centenary Stage Co. presents Freda Payne in A TRIBUTE TO ELLA FITZGERALD
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 12, 2017
The multi-talented Freda Payne best known for her singing career, as well as, her No. 1 hit 1970 pop anthem, Band of Gold has toured the world in concerts, theater performances, one woman shows, as well as, appearances in films and television, briefly hosting her own TV talk show. Freda Payne: A Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald, celebrates Ella Fitzgerald's 60+ year career from her 1934 award winning Apollo Theater debut and through her celebrated career as a vocalist.
Waldorf Astoria Beijing Announces Annual Charity Ball 2017
by BWW News Desk - Sep 22, 2017
Waldorf Astoria Beijing presents the Waldorf Astoria Beijing Annual Charity Ball on October 28, 2017. Inviting ladies and gentlemen to witness the ebb and flow of the passing of time and be transported from the gilded age of old New York to the bustling 21st century that is the new Beijing.
Watch Award-Winning Shows on BroadwayHD and Vote for the Theater Fans' Choice Awards
by BWW Special Coverage - May 26, 2017
As the Tony Awards approach, and New York's other prestigious awards are being handed out, what better time to dive into some of Broadway's best productions ever captured on film. In BroadwayHD's vast library, they have countless award-winning productions ready to stream.
We have pulled together some of our favorites below. Check them out and don't forget to vote in the 15th Annual Theater Fans' Choice Awards. After you have voted for your favorite shows, designs, and performances of the season, you will receive a code for one free month of BroadwayHD as a thank you.
Connecticut Premiere of TRAV'LIN Opens this Weekend
by A.A. Cristi - May 10, 2017
The Connecticut premiere of Trav'lin - The 1930s Harlem Musical opens this weekend at Waterbury's Seven Angels Theatre, following productions at Houston's Ensemble Theatre and Fort Worth's Jubilee Theatre, and development in Washington, D.C. and New York City, including a sold-out run at the New York Musical Festival (NYMF). Performances being Thursday, May 11, Official Opening is Saturday, May 13, and the show runs through Sunday, June 11, 2017.
'SYLVESTER' and 'PHYLLIS HYMAN' to Play The Gramercy This Month
by BWW News Desk - May 9, 2017
A friendly reminder! AnthonyKen LLC and Sheryl Lee Ralph / The Diva Foundation will present the two hit biographical musicals MIGHTY REAL: A FABULOUS SYLVESTER MUSICAL and AN EVENING WITH PHYLLIS HYMAN together for one weekend only at The Gramercy Theater (127 East 23rd Street) this May.
TRAV'LIN Musical to Make Connecticut Debut at Seven Angels Theatre
by BWW News Desk - May 4, 2017
Following productions at Houston's Ensemble Theatre and Fort Worth's Jubilee Theatre, and development in New York City and Washington, D.C., including a sold-out run at the New York Musical Festival (NYMF), Trav'lin - The 1930s Harlem Musical receives its Connecticut Premiere at Waterbury's Seven Angels Theatre, beginning Thursday, May 11, 2017. Opening Night is Saturday, May 13, and the show runs through Sunday, June 11, 2017.
Photo Flash: First Look at Jacqueline B. Arnold in AN EVENING WITH PHYLLIS HYMAN Off-Broadway
by BWW News Desk - Feb 1, 2017
AN EVENING WITH PHYLLIS HYMAN, a world premiere musical the creators of the Broadway bound musical Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester Musical, will play the final performances of its limited engagement this weekend, with shows on Saturday, February 4 at 8 pm and Sunday February 5 at 2 & 7 PM. AN EVENING WITH PHYLLIS HYMAN is performed at The Actor's Temple Theatre (339 West 47th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues). Scroll down for a first look at Jacqueline B. Arnold onstage!